“Christ’s Coming to Fulfill the Promise”

Christ returning to His people is His coming to fulfill the promise of God and bring us the power unto salvation. We are commanded to wait in His Body, known as Spiritual Jerusalem for His power to come upon us which begins our day of the Lord and our baptism of fire.

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

We should always be thinking first and foremost about the inward application of the word of God and which is our focus in following Him. For God’s plan to save all mankind to be fulfilled, certain events must occur outwardly or corporately [across all of mankind]. Those chosen of God to be saved in the second harvest, known as the Elect in this age, become the living Christ beginning at Pentecost and perform a big role in administering God’s plans.

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

The Lord’s coming is His appearing within us, the Holy Temple in which He dwells. This coming is the fulfillment of the New Covenant promise to every man in their appointed time. The Lord is working in His kingdom which is on the inside of His Body from where true righteousness will come forth.

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Those being saved in this age and every generation within this age, comprise the second harvest. The Body of Christ is being used now to save others and in the dispensation of time when the Lord gathers all men to Himself, the entirety of the second harvest will become the instruments of saving those in the third harvest [Oba 1:21, Mic 4:2, Mat 19:28, 1Co 6:2-3]

1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Those being judged now are being saved now and will be first to live every word and thereby fulfill the Word of God [Col 1:25, Mat 5:18]. All of which is the free gift of faith that turns our trust from flesh to the Lord.

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto usthe mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The Lord is gathering all things to Himself by His second coming within every man when He comes [is revealed] in our inward heaven and earth. This is the plan of salvation for every man and how all will give God the glory [our obedience] as we wait for Him to finish His work in us. It’s the same one way for both harvests of men.

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh [His people – Eph 5:30] the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; [via the cross, the lake of fire]

Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Christ has come, is come and will continuing coming and appearing in His kingdom within every man. We learn patience waiting for Him to come and finish His work within us and save us from our sins.

Jas 5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

Jas 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

After the Lord finished His earthly ministry, He died a physical death on the cross and was raised from the dead and soon ascended into heaven via the clouds to be seen no more in the flesh. The Lord speaks in parables in all the Scriptures and even the events and acts themselves are done in parables [Hos 12:10, Mat 13:10] to hide the meaning until He comes to open our understanding after having first made us blind to the truth.

Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

The ascension of Christ is such a parable. Those that know Christ in the flesh still look out there to see Him coming.

Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

This prophecy and ascension of Christ continues to be fulfilled every time Christ is revealed [appears] inwardly in the heavens of a brother or sister. As men are given faith and eyes to see, Christ has been appearing in the heavens [the mind] of the chosen few [Mt 22:14, Rom 11:7] in every generation since Pentecost. The living Body of Christ is the cloud and temple in every generation in which the Lord dwells. Christ is come back because He lives and abides in His people, which is the Body of Christ. When people see us, Lord willing, they are seeing Jesus Christ whether they know it or not.

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ever since the first Pentecost [Acts 2] and the birth of the NT church, Christ has been appearing and coming into His Kingdom in every generation. He has been seen coming out of the clouds which is where He went beginning at Pentecost.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Like the first disciples, we first know Christ in the flesh [via a carnal mind]. The first half of our ministry, the 1,000 year reign of death [carnal mindedness] ends and we are called up hither into heaven in a cloud to be with the Lord.

Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

This is when we are transformed into true worshippers in spirit and in truth and no longer know Him or see Him again in the flesh.

2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Christ must go away in the flesh and return in the Spirit for us to receive the blessings promised of the Father.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Joh 16:8 And when he is come, [Holy Spirit] he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

When Christ comes the second time without sin for salvation [Heb 9:28], He is coming to His temple and throne, where the Lord who is His word and those words are Spirit [like God His Father] sits and rules in our hearts and minds.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

When the Lord comes to save His people, that work is not completed instantly. There is a process of our “being saved” in the “day of the Lord” as the new man Christ grows and matures and our old man is being decreased [Joh 3:30]. When Christ is come, our focus and attention is turned inwardly and the things above as we wait and hasten unto the fullness [completion] of His coming.

Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, [called up hither] seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Every man will see Christ return in the spiritual cloud that is His Body in whatever age and harvest one is being saved. The brightness of His coming reveals our sins and guilt in hating and crucifying our Lord in Spirit.

Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Every spiritual eye will see the Lord coming but that coming is not all at the same time for every man. When one is blessed to be given grace [judged] and endure the destruction of our old life, we will see Christ in the clouds and thereafter testify that He dwells in His people and His promises are true. All men will see the living Christ operating through His people who are doing the greater works now and, in the age, to come. We are promised to see the great work of God being performed by the Lord’s angels which is His Body.

Joh 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man [Christ, the cloud of many witnesses]

The clouds that are Christ, bring judgment to the old man in those that can hear those words which we speak and meditate on. Judgment, which is the blessing of God [Psa 19:9, Rev 20:5] is what brings forth the new man and comes in the form of spiritual rain, fire from heaven, whirlwind, and storms [trials] which all fit the symbolism of clouds [Rom 1:20].

Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes [all mankind] of Israel.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth [His Body] goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Those that see spiritually, see God’s angels ascending and descending from Christ who is this cloud. This is where His Power unto salvation is placed and through whom judgment is delivered in due time.

Gen 9:13 I do set my bow[my power, my Word]in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Jer 5:14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

The cloud is Christ who leads us on our journey to the promised land [Exo 13:21] to possess it with sanctification and honor. We all have shared truth with those the Lord has blinded, and by doing so learned that this same cloud in which Christ dwells is both a bright light and sheer darkness depending on one’s perspective. To those without eyes to see the cloud is dark, but to those given spiritual eyes [Pro 20:12], it becomes a very bright and guiding light.

Exo 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Christ came and continues to come to all men in the appointed time to do the will of His Father. That will is to save sinners and bring salvation to all.

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the worldto save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Rom 3:23 Forall have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

A day has been appointed for all men to hear His voice and rise from their spiritual sleep and darkness in which they abide. Then judgment has come on the house of God and they will be saved and made new in the same way all men [Ecc 9:2] receive the same prize.

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

The Is, Was and Is to Come, coming of the Lord is within us and without us as we think corporately on God’s plan to save all flesh in three harvests. The harvests are likened unto feasts [Barley, Wheat and Grapes] also and were hidden in deep OT types and shadows in the law of Moses that was given to flesh Israel.

Exo 23:14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

Exo 23:15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

Exo 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

The kingdom of God that is within every man will all be delivered to God when death [carnal mindedness – Rom 8:6] is destroyed at His second coming within us that results in the judgment of the old man. When that process is completed, every man receives the one prize and the exceedingly great reward having been remade into the image of God having the mind of Christ. God’s simple three harvest plan to save all is the heart of the good news gospel the Lord is working within His creation.

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power…

The Bible has very little to say about the details of how the transition between the second and third harvests comes about. We must wait on the Lord to reveal a greater understanding to us and not go above what is written. Men continue to build followings by going above what is written and we are to follow no one but the Lord and what He reveals to us.

1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Ecc 8:17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

“The Is, Was and Will Be Coming of the Lord”

Christian orthodoxy and all the outward Babylonian churches of men continue to teach and focus outwardly on Bible prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ to His people is salvation to every man in God’s appointed order. When the Lord comes to us, our focus and mindset is turned away from outward carnal distractions and is turned inwardly to what the Lord is doing in our own [inward] heaven and earth. It is in heaven and earth within where the Lord is revealed to us by the gift of faith [belief] and men are saved in every age.

Joh 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith [the gift – Eph 2:8]: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealedfrom [inward not the sky out there] heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men [spiritual fire on the earth – Luk 12:49], who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

The purpose of this study is to correct a misapplication many of us learned and may still cling to with regards to the characteristics of the Living Word, Christ, being “is, was and will be”. This phrase was very often repeated and the “will be” component often linked to an outward fulfillment of the Scriptures. It will help us see the truth and our error by using sound words [2Ti 1:13] of what is written in the Scriptures.

A closer look will correct our way of speaking and link it to the Lord’s cominginto His Kingdom within every man. Here are all the places where the attributes of Christ most often cites as “IS, WAS and WILL BE” are taken from in the Scriptures being translated from a single Greek word Strong’s G3801. Please note the tie to His Coming in every single instance.

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which isto come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which isto come, the Almighty.

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Pretty much all translations, even the literal ones take this ONE GREEK word and translate the perpetual “is, was and is to come” coming of Christ. Here is what Strong’s offers for the definition of G3801.

G3801

ὁ ὢν ὁ ἦν ὁ ἐρχόμενος

ho ōn ho ēn ho erchomenos

ho own ho ane ho er-khom’-enos

A phrase combining G3588 with the present participle and imperfect of G1510 and the present participle of G2064 by means of G2532; the one being and the one that was and the one coming, that is, the Eternal, as a divine epithet of Christ. (Each “and” (G2532) was ommited from the phrase because of limited space.): – which art (is, was), and (which) wast (is, was), and art (is) to come (shalt be).

Total KJV occurrences: 4

Where does Christ Come to and appear to men?

This is an elementary truth to most of us who have been blessed to see the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures, yet it is a profound truth, actually, a blessing [Mat 13:17], when we first have our eyes opened to see it. Jesus Christ is not coming out there nor will He be found out there where carnal men continue to look for Him. The Scriptures tell us where He is found and that is in His Kingdom where He sits on His throne. Where are these places? They are within you and me and all men.

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

The indwelling of the Lord is the conclusion of every man’s judgment having lived through the vials of wrath [Rev 15:8] and come out of the Lake of Fire having died to death in the lake of fire which is also the Second Death.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

“All in all” with the Father, the end of Christ’s mission [1Co 15:28] is when Christ is fully formed and living in every man having converted all inward enemies.

Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me ….

This INDWELLING of the Lord, the coming of Christ into His Kingdom, has always been the promise of the New Covenant even as written in the Old Testament.

Eze 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

Eze 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Eze 37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

The Lord dwells in His people beginning with the chosen few; yet this will grow to include all men as all Israel; [Rom 11:26] will be saved and as all men will be transformed into the image of God through His Son.

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring [the third harvest at the feast of Tabernacles] and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The whole Millennium Reign lie has even deeper roots and tentacles that will continue to be weeded out and burned up in the fire as the Lord leads us to a greater understanding. Jesus is not coming to reign on the outward earth yet our correction of that false doctrine is even larger. He is not coming back to the outward physical earth whatsoever! When He as Spirit, ascended into the outward heaven, that being an event and an act that remains a parable [Mar 4:11], we are told that is the same way He will come again. We will see him coming out of our inward heaven and those He dwells in!

Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

These as all words of the Bible are Spirit [Joh 6:63]. Those given the gift of faith and eyes to see, having an earnest deposit of the same Spirit, know He already IS COME back to them and that Christ will continue coming in every generation as men are judged and translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Christ is the firstborn from the dead IN EVERY MAN in their time of judgment in the lake of fire. He is already come in the flesh of His Body [Eph 5:30] and that Body will continue to grow as He comes to men and they are saved in their appointed times [the two general harvests of men].

1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Those of God will understand and know He is come to them and those who continue to believe and teach of an outward future coming are not of God.

1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is comein the flesh [their flesh and in the Body] is of God:

2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

We are commanded to not to look behind us [Luk 9:62] or look out to the future to find our direction and focus, but instead, follow Him in the here and now of TODAY. Yes, we do look behind us to see from where we have come from and learn lessons by our experiences in judgment that teach us the right ways of God [His righteousness]. Our spiritual focus and eyes are to be turned into today and looking inward. The carnal mind looks outward and into the future. As we are learning more each day, Christ who is the Truth is not to be found out there [Mat 24:26] in what the Scriptures do not reveal.

Ecc 8:17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Today is our day of salvation [2Co 6:2] if we are given ears to hear and eyes to see the true things of the Spirit.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

That which defiles [the Lord’s temple] is found within us and is what we speak out of our fleshly heart. It is within us that the work of God is focused and our travailing in judgment brings salvation as Christ comes to us and cleanses the Temple in which He is now dwelling.

Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Do the Words of Christ Have an Outward Future Fulfillment?

They have a future fulfillment but not a certain outward fulfillment. Many of us, if not all, were taught the doctrine that every word of God has an outward fulfillment in their former churches or fellowships by men that have created idols and twisted the Scriptures to their own destruction. The “is, was and is to come” characteristic of Christ, is the coming of the Lord to save His people by establishing His kingdom within them. As we should know, the macro plan of saving mankind comes in the three harvests of 1) Christ, 2) the chosen elect in this age, and 3) all of mankind in third and final harvest.

1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming [in 2nd and 3rd harvests]

It is “at his coming” by which all men are saved in the appointed times. A little leaven leads us to mistakenly apply the “is come, has come and will come” promise of Christ to mean that His words have a future “will be” and OUTWARD FULFILLMENT. That is a false doctrine that comes from looking out there into end-time prophecies and speculating on the end of the physical world [Kosmos] and how humanity will cease to exist in the flesh. The Lord and the Bible simply does not give us those details as much as carnal men continue to try to find Christ in what is not revealed.

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

This error of men has led to all kinds of twisting and perverting the simplicity of the gospel into different rewards, two events and experiences for the men in the second and third harvests which teaches us God is a respecter of persons in direct contradiction to His Word. Lord willing we will continue to contend for the faith and the common salvation that comes alike to all men in the times appointed by the Father.

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked ….

The words of the Lord, all of them remain Spirit [Joh 6:63]. The prophecies about the end of the age and making of a new heaven and new earth are always speaking or spiritual events [is, was and is to come] that take place in the kingdom of God [be it in iinward heaven or the earth] within every man. Carnal disciples did not understand then and many do not understand to this day.

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world [G165 – AION or AGE is the proper rendering rather than the word world]

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth [G1093 = the inner earth that is the KOG, not the outward kosmos or world], wherein dwelleth righteousness

The Lord and the Apostles answered the question regarding the end of the age, which speaks to the end of our carnal mindset and life to every man in the day of the Lord for each. That is how spiritual words of prophecy and the coming of Christ to set up His inward kingdom in your mind [His throne] is speaking about. Here is just a partial list of the common signs of the end of the age and the Lord’s coming spoken in many OT and NT books in the Scriptures.

Wars

Drought and Famine

Earthquakes and disasters

Disease/epidemics

The rise of “the” Antichrist

Gospel preached to all the world

Persecution of Christians

Armies surrounding Jerusalem

New Temple Built with the abomination of desolation

Great tribulation on all the earth

Everyone reads these signs and immediately our carnal mind will have us looking outside and watching the news to figure out where we are in the Lord’s timeline and when is His outward return to physical earth. But that was never the purpose or intention of the words of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21; as those words speak about the Lord coming and appearing to His people within them. We need to remove the outward future application of “is, was and is to come” into the dust bin of our former carnal thinking.

The Lord has truly confounded the wisdom of the wise of this world, keeping them all in spiritual darkness by working all things, even outward events for His purposes. His purposes in this age is to blind everyone except those He has chosen for salvation in this age.

Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Without the God-given abilities of hearing and seeing in the Spirit [Pro 20:12, Exo 4:11, Mat 13:10], the outward events in the outward world and the Scriptures themselves written in parables and dark sayings [Psa 78:1] will deceive all but the precious few the Lord is moving on to salvation in every generation.

1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Looking out there into the world and reading down the prior list of signs, it certainly seems like the end of the world is at hand. Yet those signs have always been present in the outward world. Physical wars, diseases, calamities, earthquakes, even the persecution of professing Christians, has always been present on the planet and across the diverse civilization of mankind. The gospel has long ago been outwardly preached to the ends of the outward earth even the hidden tribes in the Amazon jungle and remote Pacific islands. The whole deception of physical Israel continues to mesmerize and hold Orthodoxy [i.e. Babylon] in great darkness to this day.

History tells us many professing men of God, all were deceived in the same way we once were and saw these outward signs and the ungodly environment as proof of the end of the world as we know it. But as the sum of the Word tells us, our eyes and focus are not to be out there on the affairs of the world that are a distraction. The Lord’s purpose is to keep the whole world in spiritual darkness waiting for their appointed time of His coming with the true light WITHIN THEM.

Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Our understanding grows as we endure judgment and we see that all those signs written in Spirit have been manifesting in our inward earth and heaven where the Lord is making a new vessel complete with a new heaven and a new earth.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. [flesh, carnal mind]

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

There will be a future application of the words of God until the last man goes through judgment and is remade. Until that time, Christ has not come to every man. Every man in His appointed times will have Christ come to them and begin the process of remaking His Temple within them. That is when those men will live out and fulfill those Scriptures and when these signs and the end of the age will begin to be seen INWARDLY. Judgment will have then fallen upon the Lord’s house in those so chosen of God for salvation. The Lord is already come and continues to come in the hearts and minds of His people in the day of His Second Coming to every man.

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth [G1093 – inward land/earth] mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Christ’s coming is always speaking of Him coming into His Kingdom which is the same as His appearing in the hearts and minds of those being saved. It is the grace of God that is saving us and that grace is the favor given to those He loves in all generations and times [is, was and will be] when He appears within them.

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing[WITHIN] of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The appearing of Christ and His chastening grace will bring much suffering and affliction within us as the gospel is preached to the dead nations and Gentiles within us. Knowing the truth and standing on the promises of God will have us endure to the end of our inward world [AION – G165] and be saved in this age Lord willing.

2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death [carnal mindedness, sin], and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

We are blessed to know and to see these truths [Mat 13:17]. Lord willing we will endure our suffering and afflictions with thanksgiving and pray that He hastens His coming to our earth and finishes the good work He started within us. We are hastening to the coming of Christ within us as we embrace and receive with thanksgiving the joy of the cross as the signs of the end are made manifest within us.